There are many sources of sounds in the environment, ranging from soft sounds measuring 20 to 30 decibels to loud sounds around 120 to 140 decibels. Once a sound becomes unpleasant and causes disruption to hearing, it is considered a noise.
Noise pollution refers to the propagation of sound that can affect the well-being of humans and other organisms. A recent study by technology company Apple revealed that one in every three adults is exposed to high noise levels that are dangerous for their health.
New Insight on Hearing Health
In 2019, Apple collaborated with the University of Michigan to conduct the Apple Hearing Study to investigate the factors that affect a person's hearing. The research team collected health data from 130,000 participants from across the U.S. using their iPhones and Apple Watches. Their everyday sound exposure was recorded between November 2019 and December 2022. Apple Watch gathered information on noise levels used to calculate an average daily environmental sound exposure level.
The most recent update of the study was released during International Noise Awareness Day in April 2023. It was found that about one in every three adult Americans is exposed to dangerous noise levels above 70 decibels. That is equivalent to 77 million adults getting exposed to noise levels above the extent to which there is no hearing loss risk, as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended.
The highest percentage was recorded in Puerto Rico (44%), while the lowest rate was discovered in Washington, DC (20%). Researchers explain that exposure to excessive noise levels will likely result in hearing problems, heart issues, and sleeping disturbances.
According to Dr. Shelly Chadha, technical officer of Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss at the WHO, the result of the Apple Hearing Study contributes to the organization's Make Listening Safe initiative by providing insight into the users' listening behavior. WHO commits to addressing the challenge of hearing loss by raising awareness and establishing new standards for safe listening practices.
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Health Impacts of Too Much Noise
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a chart of daily sounds and noises and their average sound level measured in decibels. It is suggested that sounds at or below 70 decibels are still safe even if they are heard for an extended period of time. Sound above this level heard over a prolonged period can damage hearing. Meanwhile, the WHO also consider noise as the second largest cause of health problem coming from the environment.
Aside from the direct impact of noise on a person's sense of hearing, it can also affect one's health in other ways. An unpleasant sound can cause a person to get annoyed or irritated, leading to depression or anxiety. A study published by the European Heart Journal also revealed that exposure to chronic noise is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
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